Help grow JAWS! 

In these extraordinary times, journalism is more important than ever – and so is the representation of women, trans and non-binary people in all facets of the profession.

We must stand together to fulfill the Journalism and Women Symposium’s JAWS’ mission of supporting underrepresented journalists and working toward a more accurate portrayal of the whole society. Women, underrepresented in U.S. newsrooms even before COVID-19, are already suffering higher unemployment than men during this crisis – and the numbers are even worse for women of color.  

We need each other more than ever to buck this trend. Help strengthen our sisterhood by signing up a new member for free when you renew or extend your membership before August 31, 2020. Your friend must be a new member who has never been a JAWS member in the past. They will receive a 12-month gift membership. 

As current members, you already know that JAWS can help you succeed professionally with virtual networking, webinars, online training discounts and regional programming. Perhaps even more importantly, we support each other personally and professionally, sharing job opportunities, contacts, knowledge and lived experiences to help each other succeed. And we work relentlessly to grow equity and inclusion in the industry. 

But we can only continue to do this with your support and membership. We hope you will consider taking advantage of this special offer and bringing a friend to JAWS today! 

Alternatively, we are also offering a 25% discount for single renewals. Please note that you can only take advantage of one of these offers – not both!

For existing members, we know that times are tough and want you to know we’re here for you. If you need any help or support, please don’t hesitate to let us know by emailing membership@jaws.org. We are also offering to waive JAWS 2020 membership dues for economic hardship.
 

Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) brings together working journalists and journalism educators and researchers from across the country to share resources, support, training and information about issues that affect women in our field. We meet in person and online in an atmosphere of mutual support and allow each other a chance to exercise the tongue instead of biting it.

We characterize our mission this way: “JAWS supports the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism and works toward a more accurate portrayal of the whole society.” 

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Five reasons to renew! You get:

1. A growing network of JAWS women who can offer motivation, support and ideas, not to mention the all-important comic relief and camaraderie; we have regional groups and captains hosting events in different hubs across the country.
2. The JAWS directory with your name and contact information as well as those of hundreds of other JAWS members.
3. Access to the JAWS private Facebook group, allowing you to communicate with JAWS members around the country and share ideas, experiences, and news affecting women that you may not see reported elsewhere.
4. Free members-only webinars and discount registration to our annual Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP).
5. Other valuable member-only benefits and discounts offered by strategic partners.

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Who Can Be a JAWS Member

There are two categories of membership: voting and associate. All memberships are subject to board approval. If your work or education circumstances have changed, you're welcome to renew under a more accurate category. JAWS operations may contact you in the event of such changes (for example, to confirm enrollment in a journalism degree program or a career change that makes a member eligible for voting membership). The membership criteria are as follows:

Voting membership (including Emerging Professional and Lifetime membership) is open to:

• Journalists who are employed in digital news; broadcast, cable or online TV; radio or podcasts; newspapers; news services or syndicates; magazines; and social platforms that disseminate news and information
• Journalists whose primary occupation is freelancing in the fields listed above
• Journalism educators and administrators
• People whose primary occupation is research or publishing in the field of journalism
• People employed by organizations dedicated to serving journalists

Associate members (including Student members) are entitled to all the privileges of membership except voting and pay the same dues and fees. The following people may join:

• Students* of journalism and those active in campus media at the college level or above
• Former journalists with at least three years of experience and who embrace or further the mission of Journalism and Women Symposium
• Freelance journalists who meet all of the following criteria:
  • Currently spend less than 50 percent of their time working for independent news organizations 
  • Do not pitch stories on behalf of clients to other journalists
  • Have no media relations role
  • Embrace or further the mission of Journalism and Women Symposium.

*For purposes of this membership category, a student is defined as someone currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

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How to Join or Renew Offline

To join or give a gift by check, please make your check payable to Journalism & Women Symposium and mail to:

Journalism and Women Symposium
2885 Sanford Ave. SW, #29226,
Grandville, MI 49418-1342

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Partnerships

JAWS currently offers an exchange membership rate for existing members of the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR).  JAWS actively seeks collaborative partnerships with other journalism groups to promote cross-membership and attendance at events such as regional gatherings and our annual Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP).